The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), representing 32 member nations in the Dutch, English, French and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, will host its second annual Worldwide Travel Writer/Photographer Awards programme to recognise and reward excellence in features and photos published or broadcast about the Caribbean region.

“The launch of the first-ever Worldwide Travel Writer/Photographer Awards programme last year proved to be a tremendous success with well over 100 qualified entries,” said Hugh Riley, director of marketing for CTO. “We can only hope that number grows as more and more media learn about this exciting opportunity,” he added.

“Stories are produced every day by various media and are being published in newspapers, magazines, trade journals and on-line publications along with great photographs featuring the Caribbean. With every year we plan to acknowledge and honour these writers and photographers for their hard work which results in promoting the Caribbean region as the leading warm weather destination in the world,” added Riley.

Writers and photographers will receive awards for features and photographs appearing in North American, European and Caribbean markets.

Awards will be presented separately in each of the three markets for:
1. Best Feature article in a consumer newspaper, magazine, or on-line.
2. Best Feature article in a trade publication.
3. Best TV Broadcast Feature.
4.  Best Radio Broadcast Feature.
5. Best short news article under 500 words in a consumer newspaper, magazine, trade publication or on-line.
6. Best photography in conjunction with a feature article in a consumer newspaper, magazine or trade publication.
7. Best individual photo unaccompanied by a story in a consumer newspaper, magazine or trade publication.
8.  Best guide book on the Caribbean.
9. Travel Writer of the Year (based on a portfolio).
10.    Photographer of the Year (based on a portfolio).

p>Awards are judged on individual merit by a panel of judges including journalism professors, National Tourist Offices and other industry professional.  Starting January 1, 2004, entries can be submitted for articles or photographs appearing in calendar year 2003. Cost for entries will be $25 per entry for articles and photographs and $40 for an entry of a portfolio for Travel Writer or Photographer of the Year Awards.

The success of last year`s programme can be attributed to entries such as Bob Friel`s series of articles on various Caribbean destinations in Caribbean Travel & Life and Michael Ventura whose photographs appeared in Conde Nast Traveller, Caribbean Travel & Life`s Caribbean Travel Planner, American Eagle`s Latitude, and Abaco Life of the Bahamas. Based on the judging from several National Tourist Offices and finalist judging by journalism professors Dorothy Reed, Long Island University, CW Post Campus and Barbara Fischkin, Adelphi University, Mr. Friel and Mr. Ventura won Travel Writer of the Year and Travel Photographer of the Year respectively.

Related articles on Caribbean Weekly:
(16/01/03) CTO Launches World-wide Caribbean Writer/Photography Contest
(06/10/03) CTO release new glossy magazine to entice visitors to the region
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